This particular hill was a bit of a challenge for Westy Girl, but she took it like a champ! Only got stuck on a rock once.

The sand, however, was a whole other story. Westy girl got stuck in the sand, but the best part about Westy meetups--every SINGLE driver jumps out of their van to help you. We had the whole group digging and pushing to help Monique out of the sand trap. I LOVE VAN PEOPLE.

Unfortunately I didn't really get excellent pics of the tunnel since it was pretty dark. Thus this blurry picture of Riley. But you get the idea! It was pretty phenomenal. But then again, most of southern Utah is phenomenal.

I would sell my soul to be back at this meetup right this instant. I really would.

So, when GlassesUSA.com hit me up for a review, you know I was on that because to me, glasses should be like earrings--a different pair for every mood you have. And it just so happens that I love to buy glasses online, so I was stoked at the chance. You can't really find cool specs at stores anymore, and you can usually find a better deal online. I have about 8 pairs of prescription glasses that I've purchased online, and I've loved every pair.

Anyway, after getting your very helpful input, I opted to go with these babies! And boy oh boy, am I in love.

These are my go-to glasses when I'm feeling sassy and/or nerdy librarian gone wild. Just kidding. But seriously...

Anyway, I love the glasses, they fit like a champion, and I love their sleek and retro vibes. If you'd like a pair for yourself, hit up GlassesUSA.com and use code BLOG10 for 10% off your order! And don't be afraid to buy glasses online. I can tell you that all 8 of my pairs have turned out just fine, and it's really not that scary.

And if you ARE feeling particularly frightened, try out the new shareable virtual mirror tool where you can try before you buy. That's what I used for my little poll I had you vote on!

Are you a glasses wearer? Let's hear it for the four eyes!

1.) You see so much more at 55mph. Why do we all move so fast? What's the rush?

2.) Priorities have a strange way of realigning when you meet others with stories different than yours. Take, for example, our new Westy friends Dana and Mark. They've been on the road for 7 months. They started in Boston, made their way to Florida, to Texas, to New Mexico, to Moab for the meetup. They'll stop when they find "home" whatever that may be. They are not retired--they are young and hopeful and so entirely full of life. Talking to Dana was the biggest breath of fresh air and one that my stagnated life desperately needed.

3.) On that same note, you don't need what you think you need. Everything you need can and will fit inside a van, and you will find happiness living that life.

4.) Life is all about helping people and letting them help you. Vans broke down on the trip as 30-year-old vans tend to do, and everyone rushed in to lend a hand where they could. People shared their food, their games, their chairs, their beer--everything. Community is what makes life worth living. Not money, not success, huge houses, or expensive clothes.

5.) Everyone has a story worth telling. Everyone. We watched this documentary called "The Bus" on a projector in the middle of the desert, and this guy in an interview says that everyone that owns a Vanagon is worth a campfire and a beer. It's true. I met another astounding woman named Valerie who has been on the road for 10 months with her beautiful and incredibly outlandishly sweet special needs daughter Camilla. They started in Quebec and went all the way to Costa Rica and back to Utah. The stories and the light and the life that emanated from both of them blew my mind.

Anyway, all deep thoughts aside, the time spent at camp was definitely as much a highlight as the offroad trips. We even got these super official and/or super awesome "Westy Camper Life" hats that are my new prized possession. We ALSO got our stove to work!! Meaning we can boil water/make grilled cheeses anywhere we go. YES! Win!

Westy Camper Life. I want that life. I want to travel like Dana and Mark and Vallerie and Camilla. Someday it will happen. There's too much to see to not make it happen.

For those of you new around these parts, Syncro Solstice is an annual Westy meetup in Moab, UT. This year there were 55 vans at the meetup, meaning the good times and amazing people were bounteous. I really can't describe to you how awesome Van people are. They are the salt of the Earth, I tell you WHAT. You will never in your life meet people as good and kind-hearted as a Vanagon owner. I promise you that.

ANYWAY--the first day at the meetup was an offroading trip up Onion Creek. I'll let the pictures show you just how insanely beautiful it was. Utah really is amazing, folks.

Our friends Riley and Paige came to the meetup with us, and Riley strapped his Nikon 1 to the roof. Booooooy oh BOY, we are all in for a treat. As soon as he edits and posts, I'll post it here so you can see just how amazing Vanagons are!

We ended the day at the swimming hole since it was 95 degrees in a van with no a/c. Welcome to Westy life, kids!

I'll be back all week with more Westy meetup goodness, so stay tuned! I hope you enjoy these silly Westy posts. I love nothing more than my van, so to share our adventures with you is pretty awesome for me. Enjoy!

-I shop at Sunflower Market, but not for health food. 99% of my trips there are for the yogurt covered pretzels and the gummy bears. Irony. I haz it.

-I wore this blouse from lulus the other day and shamelessly twirled around in it all day. I work from home, meaning I did this by myself, in my house, with my cats. I am crazy. Sue me.

-I eat copious amounts of sriracha. One day I will turn into a bottle of sriracha. I do believe that is true.

-I listen to albums several times in a row. Several is an understatement. I could listen to a good album 8 times in a row and never get sick of it. Mitch hates this about me. I can't help it.

blouse: c/o lulus // shorts: thrifted ($2) // shoes: c/o Blowfish // sunnies: thrifted ($0.99)

-I haven't grocery shopped in weeks. WEEKS. Someday I will be rich and hire someone to grocery shop for me because every fiber of being is opposed to doing it.

-I really, really, really love Jim Croce.

-I really, really enjoy penguin documentaries.

-I really, really dislike preachy food documentaries.

-I really, really love watching RuPaul anything. (Latrice Royale 4 EVER)

-Last confession: I might never come back from the Westy meetup this weekend. I might just live in the desert in my van and be infinitely happy. Would that be ok?

What are your weekend plans? Can't wait to show you pics from the meetup next week. Wahoooo!

In preparation for the meetup, Mitchell and I took Westy girl out for a ride to the mountains for a picnic. We sat in the woods, ate our soft mozz sandwiches, and planned out improvements to make before the big trip. This weekend we're heading to Moab, UT for Syncro Solstice, and I absolutely can't wait. 4 days in the desert with 40+ other vanagon enthusiasts going off roading and having a generally awesome time. You can read about last year's meetup here.

I love the versatility of this tunic. I wear it with leggings, bell bottoms, and just around the house when I'm feeling like a lazy bum, which is 99% of my life.

tunic: thrifted ($2) // jacket: thrifted and restyled // shoes: c/o Blowfish // hat: target // sunnies: zenni

I love my van. So so so much.

Elsewhere on the thrifting block, Phaydra from FashionFoodFeminism thrifted these fabulous vintage sunnies for $4. Ahhhh yeah. You can see her post about it here! Thrifted sunnies are my favorite fo sho. I'll show you a pair of my own tomorrow!

Happy thrifting!

Here are a couple of my first tries. It's not always easy to make them perfect, but it's still fun.

Download it and let's play! What's your cinemagram name?

Happy Tuesday, sweet champions! This Tuesday is about to serve up some giveaway realness with a $100 Lulus.com gift card giveaway! Tuesday, you crafty, crafty minx.

The awesome people at lulus.com sent me this gem of a floral dress, which I have worn not once, not twice, but THRICE in the past three days. If you do the math, that means I've worn it three days in a row. Yep. No shame.

dress: c/o Lulus // sweater: f21 // shoes: c/o Adventurer Vintage // glasses: c/o Tumbleweeds Handcraft

So, if you'd like to win $100 to spend at lulus, here's your chance!

HOW TO WIN

1. Follow my blog and visit lulus.com and come back and tell us what your favorit item is! (MANDATORY ENTRY)

BONUS ENTRIES

2. Tweet about the giveaway! Be sure to include the link to this post, @amorby, and @lulusdotcom

3. Follow lulus on Twitter

4. Like lulus on Facebook!

Giveaway ends May 21 at midnight and is open to everyone! GOOD LUCK!

(PS!! Giveaway winners! The winner of the Coco and Lola giveaway IS...Brittany! And the winner of the Ugglebo Clogs giveaway is...Hannah! Congrats, champs! I'll be emailing you later today.)

Happy Monday, sweet champions! This week I wanted to share a bunch of my favorite blogs as of late. Mostly because I love them, but also because I want to contribute to the idea that blogging should be about community and not being "successful" or whatever that means. Let's all take a minute to share the blog love, support each other, and make friends like blogging was intended to do!

Cheeky Cheeky

Carmen is one kool kat with two capital k's fo sho. I love her for her honesty, for her genuine voice, and her long luscious locks. She runs a vintage shop that should definitely check out as well!

Salvaged Strawberry

Amanda is an absolute gem of all gems. We talk mostly every morning, and she's a genuinely spectacular person. She just moved her blog over to Blogger, so be sure to stop by and give her a follow. She's got a sparkly new design as well! Also, she has a vintage shop that is all kinds of fabulous.

Silly Grrl

Sarah is a fabulous lady and is part of an aerial circus that you probably need to check out RIGHT NOW. It's preeeeeetty awesome. But the best part is that she's doing a series called 6 Weeks to a Better Blog!

You can check out all the posts here and check out the guest post from me here!

Yessiree Petunia

If you haven't met Lesley Jean, then you are MISSING OUT. She is a vintage maven with so much vintage swagger it's crazy town.

Also, in that same category of crazy good vintage swagger is Adrian from Adrian Loves Owls. She's completely adorable and another vintage style idol of mine.

Enjoy!!

(PS!! There are two giveaway going on. Don't forget to enter to win a pair of Ugglebo Clogs here and a perfume oil set here!)

Here are some things I believe.

1. Fresh cilantro seriously makes everything infinitely better. If you don't like cilantro, what's wrong with you?

2. Cats are hoarders, too. I discovered their hoard under the couch a couple weeks ago. At what point do I call the Hoarders people?

3. Diet Coke with fresh lime was made for me. Am I right, Carmen?

4. On a similar note, Diet Coke in a glass bottle will basically translate you to heaven in the blink of an eye.

5. Also, water is boring.

6. Jessa is the most hilarious person alive. Please go read and follow her blog, Bowl of Bees.

7. Healthy food is boring. You can take your healthy Pinterest pins and shove it.

8. Thom Yorke is the be all end all. He is the MAN.

9. I watched not ONE, but TWO seasons of Toddlers and Tiaras. I know. Commence judgment....now.

10. It's perfectly acceptable to take pictures with grapes in your upper lip. Perfectly ok use of time. (Steve Buscemi, anyone?)

Feel free to write your own facts post. Let's hear those random facts.

(PS--crappy phone photos brought to you by my instagram feed. I'm @amorby. Let's be IG friends.)